Ol Ephraim
Confronting Ol' Ephraim: A Wilderness Anthem
Lyrics
Never been known to fear no rattler
Expressing fearlessness towards rattlesnakes.
Ain't nothing that an axe won't fix
Belief that any problem can be solved with an axe.
'Yotes and wolves ain't no bother
Wolves and coyotes are not a concern.
If you're building that campfire big
Being prepared for challenges, especially when making a big campfire.
I've never lost sleep on account of no cougar of the Bitterroot
No fear of cougars from the Bitterroot region.
But sure as the devil roams the night God made a critter that do
Acknowledgment of a powerful creature created by God that poses a threat.
Where the grizz lives you keep your eyes open
Being cautious and vigilant where grizzly bears live.
Your blade on hand and your long gun loaded
Emphasizing the need for readiness with a blade and loaded gun around grizzlies.
Cause he don't care if you're a son of Adam
Grizzlies don't discriminate based on being a human; all must be cautious.
Ol' Ephraim think he's on the top of the mountain
Personifying the grizzly bear, Ol' Ephraim, as if it sees itself superior.
Hugh Glass and old Jedidiah
Referring to historical figures, Hugh Glass and old Jedidiah, who faced challenges.
Faired far better than most
Noting that Glass and Jedidiah fared better than most, implying the severity of challenges.
Cause when a grizz is set on winning
Highlighting the determination of a grizzly, suggesting most men give up in its presence.
Most men gonna give up the ghost
People often succumb to the challenges posed by a determined grizzly bear.
When the blowing wind or running river drowns out your footsteps
Reflection on the potential dangers in the serene beauty of nature.
Remember this place of beauty could be the valley of the shadow of death
A warning that even beautiful places can be dangerous, akin to the valley of the shadow of death.
Where the grizz lives you keep your eyes open
Reiteration of being watchful in areas inhabited by grizzlies.
Your blade on hand and your long gun loaded
Reemphasizing the need for preparedness with a blade and loaded gun around grizzlies.
Cause he don't care if you're a son of Adam
Reiterating that grizzlies pose a threat regardless of one's status as a human.
Ol' Ephraim think he's on the top of the mountain
Continuation of the personification of Ol' Ephraim and its perceived dominance.
Where the grizz lives you keep your eyes open
Reiteration of the need to be alert in grizzly bear territory.
Your blade on hand and your long gun loaded
Reemphasizing preparedness with a blade and loaded gun in grizzly-inhabited areas.
Cause he don't care if you're sleeping or hunting
Stating that Ol' Ephraim is indifferent to the activities of humans, whether sleeping or hunting.
Fighting or running, be wonderin'
Describing the various situations in which one may encounter danger from a grizzly.
Where the grizz lives you keep your eyes open
Reiteration of the importance of vigilance in grizzly bear territory.
Your blade on hand and your long gun loaded
Reemphasizing the need for preparedness with a blade and loaded gun around grizzlies.
Cause he don't care if you're a son of Adam
Reiterating that grizzlies pose a threat regardless of one's status as a human.
Ol' Ephraim think he's on the top of the mountain
Continuation of the personification of Ol' Ephraim and its perceived dominance.
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